Roadside Mural Memorializes Judith Ann Baxter

© SSBR. CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. A roadside mural. A wonderful legacy. (2024)

by Glenn Franco Simmons

A roadside mural remains colorful against the dust-kissed siding, whispering of a woman’s legacy that unfurled across decades of multiple generations.

Imagine the hands steadied, the imaginations sparked, by Judith Ann Baxter — Judy to the folks who claimed her as kin and/or friend — through her Crafty Needle & Tole, that alchemy of shop, heartbeat and hands-on community hub, pieced from the sparse digital breadcrumbs I have chased down.

I took this photo in 2024, along that lonesome two-lane stretch of US-395, where it clings fierce to the cragged Eastern Sierra Nevada’s flank, right at the sun-scorched lip of Antelope Valley’s vast, untamed sprawl.

“Judy was born in Bridgeport, CA to Roy and Betty West on March 28, 1944,” according to a Sierra Wave obituary. “She resided in the area for most of her young adulthood before briefly moving to Carlsbad, NM. Returning to Walker in 1973, she remained a friend to many of the city’s residents.

“Judy had a great love for animals and especially horses. Judy could be seen horseback riding in the beautiful Antelope Valley and participating in local gymkhanas. As a young adult, she led horseback tours around various locations in the Sierra Nevada mountains. She also worked as a dealer at Topaz Lodge before starting her own business.”

The obituary said Crafty Needle & Tole was “a staple of the community.”

“With an artistic flair, she taught tole painting for many years before branching into a professional embroidery business,” the obituary stated, adding that Judy also attended “quilting retreats with her good friends, and making intricate quilts for her loved ones.”

“The business became a cornerstone of the community, offering supplies and classes focused on tole painting — a decorative technique for hand-painting metal surfaces with floral and folk-art designs,” Grok AI stated.  “With her innate artistic talent, Judy taught tole-painting workshops for many years, fostering a sense of creativity and camaraderie among locals.”

Judy shared her life with her husband of 45 years, Don Baxter, and was a devoted mother and grandmother. At 77, she passed away in the house where she had lived for 65 years with her loving family beside her.

Even though The Crafty Needle & Tole has since closed, her influence undoubtedly left an indelible impression on many people. If you are one, please let me know in the comments.

Postcard Painting Depicts Steamer Tahoe

The Steamer Tahoe is depicted in this postcard painting as at Emerald Bay, Lake Tahoe.

This postcard is titled “Steamer Tahoe” and is shown at Emerald Bay, Lake Tahoe, Calif. The postcard has been estimated to have been in use between 1900 and 1920. UNRS-P1987-09-06.tif collection_2350. Digital Archive Legacy ID: tahoecollection:2350.

The photo’s creator/contributor was Edward H. Mitchell, publisher. “Use and Reproduction: The copyright and related rights status of this item has been reviewed by the organization that has made the item available, but the organization was unable to make a conclusive determination as to the copyright status of the item,” according to the University of Nevada, Reno, where I downloaded an original an optimized it for web publication. “Please refer to the organization that has made the item available for more information. You are free to use this item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use.”

My use of the photo is for journalistic/educational non-commercial use. Image use is courtesy of the University of Nevada, Reno.

Chilipepper's Paintings On Display

(Left to right) 1. "Her Arrangement" by Chilipepper (20x24-inch acrylic painting). 2. "Hello Green Breeze" by Chilipepper (20x24-inch acrylic painting). 3. "Spring Vibes" by Chilipepper (20x24-inch acrylic painting).

by Glenn Franco Simmons

A Northern Nevada painter whose art I saw and enjoyed in Reno is quite prolific and popular and she may be better known by her nickname.

Yasuyo Corbett’s nickname is Chilipepper because “as I am told I can be Spicy,” states Corbett on her website.

“From Lake Tahoe to Tokyo, to New York, Los Angeles, Shanghai and my art has taken me all over the world,” she noted.

Corbett “was born in Osaka, Japan surrounded by all the beauty of the Japanese culture,” according to the website.

Trained in “Kimonos and traditional flower arrangements,” Corbett said on her website, “this is when I first experienced joy in expressing my emotions with colors. “Everything Consists of Love" is the title of the brightly colored painting on the left, as an example of her style.

“I was fortunate to keep art in the forefront of my life, working as a visual merchandiser,” Corbett stated. “I am incredibly pleased that my love of creating and working with color has continued throughout my life and enabled me to experience so many amazing places in the world.”

How to pronounce Yasuyo? “YA SU YO,” but Corbett goes by her nickname, as previously noted, for her business: “Chilipepper’s Paintings.”

Corbett said she found herself in Lake Tahoe because she “met the love of my life, my husband,” according to the website. “I love living in Lake Tahoe.”

The Northern Nevada artist still visits and exhibits in Tokyo twice annually, according to the website.

“I feel extremely fortunate to have the opportunity to grow my art in the United States,” she stated on her website. “I work in acrylic gouache and acrylic paints. I enjoy rich, deep colors and playing with how they can provide an immersive and sometimes playful experience. I hope you enjoy my artwork, a representation of the Japanese experience in the U.S.”

Her art is enjoyed! It sure was a feast for the eyes as I sipped my bubbling Kombucha and Kathleen enjoyed her delicious coffee.

Bear portrait, "Always Be Here For You," by Chilipepper (18x24-inch acrylic painting). 3. Bear portrait, "Coffee For You," by Chilipepper (18x24-inch acrylic painting). 3. Bear portrait, "Old Photograph," by Chilipepper (18x24-inch acrylic painting).

Corbett is also a dog-lover, as evidenced by a well-written article in “Life Hugger.” (Translate to English, if you cannot read Japanese. It is a mostly accurate translation of Japanese to English by automatic Google Translate.)

“… Yasuyo also talked about an episode {she} had with a rescue dog two years ago when {she} was recuperating from an illness,” the article states.

“‘I had to leave the hospital one day after the surgery, and the doctor told me to walk every day, so I walked alone every day holding my stomach,’” she explained to “Life Hugger.”

“‘Then, a rescue dog who lived across the street started walking with me every day. He walked ahead of me, and when I caught up with him, he walked ahead of me again. He did this every day, and before I knew it, I was able to walk long distances.’”

This journey back to health was the inspiration that further lit Yasuyo’s creativity. The painting titled “Happy Bouquet” (right) is an illustration of Chilipepper’s creativity.

Regarding her feelings when drawing a rescue dog, she was quoted in the article as having said, “‘I always draw it thinking about what it would be like if I were living with this dog. For example, if I wanted a snack for me. There is a very clear lake called Lake Tahoe, and I’m imagining playing in the water together there, jumping in, being blown by the wind, etc.’”

To read the full, excellent article and see Corbett’s paintings of dogs, please navigate to the “Life Hugger” article link above.